Top FAQ about the One Day Trek. How to prepare for it?
Great weather, a couple of days off and good company – it seems that all the stars have aligned, and now nothing prevents you from going on a short hike in nature for a pleasant stay.
But then a reasonable question arises – what to take with you on a one-day trip: how not to overload the backpack, what you need from food and clothes, and how to organize such an outing with children. Hiking has prepared a detailed guide for day hikes.
An impromptu guide will help you quickly and correctly prepare a hiking backpack and stock up on everything you need.
Explanation
A one-day trip is significantly different from the classic “multi-day trip”. In terms of organization, it is both the simplest and the most complex. On the one hand, you need a minimum of things for such a trip, and if something was not taken into account when collecting a hiking backpack, then after 24 hours it can be fixed.
On the other hand, there is no need to set up tents and spend the night, and 25-35 kilometres of walking can be a test for a physically unprepared person.
What to take with you?
Unlike a multi-day expedition, the list of things for a one-day trip looks much more modest. But even here there are nuances. The ideal volume of a backpack for a one-day hike is 20-30 litres in the warm season and 30-40 litres in the winter.
Beginners can get by with an ordinary “urban” backpack, but if such trips are planned regularly, take care to buy a specialized one and do not forget about a flashlight. Find a good one on this website.
Of the things that you need to take with you on a one-day expedition, it is worth noting: a flashlight, toilet paper or napkins, matches or flint, a map, a portable battery, a folding knife or multi-tool, a mug, a foam seat or a small mat. It is advisable to stock up on a small amount of cash in case you need to buy a train ticket or encourage drivers to hitchhike. In case of cloudy weather, take a rain cover for your backpack with you.
Plan the number of things at the rate of 5 – 8 kilograms per person. This is the kind of average landmark that will not embarrass you during a long walk.
How to pack a backpack?
When packing a backpack for a day trip, you should be guided by the same principle as an “adult”. Try to distribute the weight so that it falls on your back as much as possible. Thus, you unload the shoulder joint, which eliminates fatigue. Personal things that you decide to take “just in case”, but at the very bottom. It can be a change of clothes or a cape – preferably, everything that takes up the largest volume.
The heaviest should be put on top, shifting them closer to the back. Place lighter items closer to the outer wall of the backpack. Keep in mind that it is correct to put large and dimensional things in the backpack first, gradually filling the voids with smaller ones. A properly assembled backpack eliminates the presence of voids.
The most necessary and necessary things that you will regularly use on a one-day trip should be placed on the very top, thereby providing quick access to them. In the side pockets, you can put a flashlight, multitool, water bottle, sunscreen, and wet wipes.
The practice of “hanging mounting”, in which some of the things are simply hung on the backpack from the outside, is unacceptable for a day trip. With a high probability, some of the things will remain hanging on an elastic branch or bushes that you will not notice when making your way along a narrow path.
How to dress?
In the summer and warm period, a T-shirt and breathable light pants are perfect for the daytime. If you have to go out early in the morning and return late in the evening, do not be too lazy to grab a warm jacket and tighter trousers.
Be sure to wear a long-sleeve shirt and a hat to protect yourself from the scorching sun. A spare T-shirt and socks will also not be superfluous, and a cape or an oilcloth raincoat will not hurt to protect from the rain.
The “fisher suit” option, common among beginners, is not the best option. The fabric used in them does not let water through, but, at the same time, retains air, which is unacceptable at temperatures above 15 – 17 ° C.
The choice of things in winter is somewhat more difficult, but there are some general recommendations here.
Clothing should be durable, made of “breathable fabric”, that is, let air through and remove moisture from the body, and should not be hot during active movement (fleece, membrane fabric, and thermal underwear are just right). In winter clothes, you should feel comfortable doing any movement.
Shoes
Again, the choice of shoes directly depends on the season in which the trip is organized. In winter, boots should not slip, withstand low temperatures and not let moisture through. In summer, opt for shoes with hard non-slip soles. By the way, over the past few years, trekking shoes have proven themselves well in this regard.
The choice of hiking shoes requires compliance with one important rule – they should not be new and never worn. You must “feel” it before the hike because with grated corn and with torn shins, obtained from unworn sneakers, you simply cannot overcome 15-25 kilometres of the way.
First aid kit
When going camping, remember that the first-aid kit is divided into two categories, personal and public. The personal includes such drugs that you cannot do without in everyday life: insulin for diabetes, allergy pills, inhalers, and nasal drops for chronic rhinitis.
You must take into account and collect this list of medicines yourself, calculating their number with a margin of at least two days, even for a one-day trip.
